This position is located in the Department of Health And Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional selections may be made across the Department of Health and Human Services through this vacancy announcement.
Summary
This position is located in the Department of Health And Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional selections may be made across the Department of Health and Human Services through this vacancy announcement.
Federal career or career conditional employees in the competitive service; displaced Federal employees with CTAP or ICTAP eligibility; Military Spouses; individuals eligible for VEOA appointment; 30% disabled veterans; foreign service employees; national service (Peace Corps/VISTA); certain former overseas employees; former employees with reinstatement eligibility; and individuals with disabilities.
Works independently on development of capabilities-based assessments (CBAs) based on analysis of public health consequences of CBRN, EID, and conventional disaster scenarios, identifies capabilities required (including those specific to CBRN or EID scenarios); determines attributes and standards of the capabilities, identify gaps and prioritize them based on operational risk assessments, identify and assess potential non-materiel solutions, and provides recommendations for closing gaps.
Works independently on development of analyses of alternatives (AoAs) through analytical comparison of identified alternatives, operational effectiveness of clinical approaches, MCM alternatives, or other DOTMLPF solutions (measures of effectiveness against CBRN and EID scenarios), suitability, role in concepts of operations, and life-cycle cost of materiel or non-materiel solutions that potentially satisfy capabilities needs identified in capabilities-based assessments.
Works independently on development of requirements for capabilities needed to deliver on Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8 mission objectives of the National Response Framework and operational component ASPR mission, such as non-materiel [doctrine/policy, organization training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities (DOTmLPF)] and/or materiel (M) solutions including medical countermeasures, based on CBRN, EID, or conventional threat or capability analysis.
Works independently on the development of materiel and non-materiel requirements for medical countermeasures necessary to respond to CBRN incidents or EID outbreaks.
With direct supervision, performs regular assessments of the requirements framework and processes to identify and implement best practices and improvements.
AS NEEDED: EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT - The incumbent may be requested to participate in/support public health and emergency medical responses to national security incidents including natural disasters, catastrophic incidents and accidents, mass casualty incidents, emerging infectious disease responses to pandemic outbreaks or threats to National Security, and other incidents or events of national significance.
Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
Suitable for federal employment
Meet time in grade restrictions by the closing date of the announcement
Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
Financial disclosure statement may be required.
One-year probationary period may be required.
Qualifications
Basic Qualification Requirements:
For Biologist, GS-401:
A. Must have at least a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Must have a combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
For Health Scientist, GS-601:
Must have a least a bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
For Physical Scientist, GS-1301:
A. Must have at least a bachelor's degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B. Must have a combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
For Chemist, GS-1320:
A. Must have at least a bachelor's degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
OR
B. Must have a combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
AND
Additional Qualification Requirements for Interdisciplinary Scientist, GS-401/601/1301/1320-13: In addition to meeting the Basic Qualification Requirements candidates must also:
Have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service that includes experience applying sciences such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, physical sciences, health sciences in one of the following areas:
1) Conducting or assisting programs for developing or evaluating medical countermeasures (MCM) such as a vaccine, drug, biologic, diagnostic device or test, or a manufacturing platform;
2) Conducting or assisting strategic, operational, or tactical planning or policy development, or program implementation for natural disasters or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) or emerging infectious diseases (E!Ds);
3) Conducting or assisting strategic, operational, or tactical planning or policy development, or program implementation for MCMs to any of the CBRN+EID threats;
4) Performing or assisting requirements analysis and development, e.g., DOD requirements, HHS requirements or other types: functional, performance-based, allocated, materiel requirements, etc.;
5) Participating in operational disaster responses (e.g., public health or emergency medical), evaluating/developing literature, developing strategies that support disaster or terrorism or EID outbreak response and advising decision-makers.
Documenting experience: In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.
Education
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.
Additional information
Selections may be made for vacancies across the entire Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). By applying, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more HHS hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be paid: No
Bargaining Unit Position: No
Drug Screening Required: Yes
Recruitment incentives may be authorized: No
Student loan repayment incentive may be authorized: No
Annual leave for non-federal service may be authorized.
Advanced pay for new hires (ATM) may be authorized.
Career Transition Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.
For Noncompetitive Applicants: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:
Your Resume You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. Your resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial.
SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - documentation supporting eligibility. If submitting a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), or equivalent, submit one that shows the effective date of your current position, the full performance level, career or career conditional tenure and status in the competitive service.
Other required supporting documents.
Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)
College transcripts (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)
Veterans' Preference documentation:
Discharged Veterans: If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/18/2020.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
200 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20201
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.
You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:
Your Resume You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. Your resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial.
SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - documentation supporting eligibility. If submitting a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), or equivalent, submit one that shows the effective date of your current position, the full performance level, career or career conditional tenure and status in the competitive service.
Other required supporting documents.
Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)
College transcripts (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)
Veterans' Preference documentation:
Discharged Veterans: If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/18/2020.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
200 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20201
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.
You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
